Gleason lays out his top issues within the county

≠≠Full of energy and passion, Kern County First District Supervisor Mick Gleason touched on three important topics during a speech to the Ridgecrest Exchange Club on Thursday: Meth abuse, water and resources in the Indian Wells Valley and the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Initiative.

­­Full of energy and passion, Kern County First District Supervisor Mick Gleason touched on three important topics during a speech to the Ridgecrest Exchange Club on Thursday: Meth abuse, water and resources in the Indian Wells Valley and the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Initiative.

"We're going to get smart about methamphetamine use in Kern County because I think it's critically important we do that," Gleason said.

Gleason was recently tapped to chair the Kern County Meth Reduction Taskforce, an organization funded by the county at raising awareness and curtailing the use of meth in the county.

One of the organization's future events will include an July 6 fireworks show and barbecue in Kernville that would involve guest speakers, programs and include law enforcement and educators and former addicts.

"Most importantly, we're bringing families from all over Kern County together for some food, entertainment and programs aimed at educating people on methamphetamine abuse and our impacts to our communities," Gleason said.

Gleason said it would be one of several similar programs for the county, with a possible one in Ridgecrest in the future.

Gleason said that the county needs to become more involved in the situation at all levels.

"Thirty-nine percent of all felonies in Kern County are methamphetamine abuse-related," Gleason said.

This reflects a 2008 study in Kern County that figured meth into the reason behind felonies.

"The average age of a person's introduction to meth use is 13," Gleason said. "We as a county need to get smart about this."

He said most law enforcement agencies were well aware of the impact meth use had on the people.

"Chief Ron Strand is a great example of someone who is keenly aware of the impact meth use has," Gleason said.

Inyokern UAS

Gleason gave a brief spotlight on Inyokern's bid for one of six FAA-designated national test sites for unmanned systems.

To date, the team, Cal UAS Portal, has received strong support from Congressman Kevin McCarthy, state Sen. Jean Fuller, Assemblywoman Shannon Grove, Gleason himself, and the full County Board of Supervisors.

He said Eileen Shibley was making headways in making pitches to the Kern County Farm Bureau and Chevron and other industries.

"What we're doing is trying to draw parallels in applications of UAS and unmanned vehicles can better the agricultural business and the oil business," Gleason said. "Once those ag and oil businesses understand that UAS have an indigenous capability to build and provide UAVs for their businesses, they'll be more willing to come across with financial support."

A holistic approach to IWV water and resources

Gleason touched on an initiative being launched by Kern County that would envision how the Indian Wells Valley's concern over water.

Page 2 of 2 - "We're going to be taking a holistic approach of understanding what the relationship between the Indian Wells Valley and water usage is," Gleason said.

Recently, the county issued a request for proposal for a consultant that would begin designing a plan and engage the public on what the valley's needs were.

Gleason said the plan would likely leverage information old Indian Wells Valley Visioning process conducted in 2011 and released in 2012 but taken in a new direction. However, he stressed that it was a lengthy process.

Included in the new plan would be scientific studies of the valley's preservation of the military mission, the valley's trail systems and water usage and conversation.

Tenure as a Supe

Gleason was asked about his still-brief tenure as a County Supervisor, something he said was a enjoyable challenge.

"This job is what I imagined and so much more," Gleason said. "I'm fully challenged, which I enjoy."

He said his current position provided a more fulfilling aspect, especially with different challenges every day. He credited his staff for keeping him charged, including Denny Kline in the Indian Wells Valley, Pat Connell in the Kern River Valley, Dave Freeland in Delano and McFarland, and Leigh Ann Cooke in Bakersfield.

"I enjoy working on the Board of Supervisors because I've come to know them a little bit better," he said. "I feel good when government is doing something it should be doing."